According to TradingView data, major holders in Bitfinex have been reducing long positions after the December peak of 73,000 BTC. The move follows a broad drop in whale catches of around 220,000 BTC by 2025, a change that analysts and traders are following.
Related Reading
The price action has not changed. Bitcoin has been moving within a tight range around $88,000 to $92,000 while the market is looking for direction.
Whale movements and historical patterns
Based on reports, some traders see this as a classic pattern of relaxation that precedes price gains. At the beginning of 2025, the same fall in long positions coincided with Bitcoin slipping below $74k and setting a sharp rebound.
That previous recovery rose to about $112k 43 days after the position was moved. MartyParty, an X analyst, referred to that episode when he noted that Bitfinex whales were “aggressively closing $BTC longs,” a behavior that has been followed in the past by large swings.
Bitfinex whales close violently $BTC longs, a sign that precedes a major historical upheaval. The last time this “release” happened in early 2025, Bitcoin was standing at $74k.
This precedes the Wyckoff Spring. Check out the charts below.
The flush removed the power and ignited… pic.twitter.com/2qfmH2eliJ
– MartyParty (@martypartymusic) January 10, 2026
Market Breadth And Investor Mix
Reports have revealed that on-chain tracker CryptoQuant finds whales’ total holdings have dropped by more than 200,000 BTC throughout the year, while small investors have increased exposure. This change is read by some as a sign that ownership is growing.
If more participants own coins, price movements can be supported by a wider base of buyers. That doesn’t guarantee higher prices, but it does change how risk is spread in the market.
Value Range and Resistance Levels
Traders are looking for a near-term ceiling around $94,000 which has closed many rallies. Bitcoin is currently sitting near $91.5k. A sustained break above that $94,000 level on volume would be a strong confirmation for the bulls. On the other hand, a failure to move up could see the range widen to the downside, especially if funding costs rise or if foreclosures increase.
Fractal targets and monitoring
Some analysts use past patterns in project targeting. Based on reports, one scenario shows a repeat of the spring-and-rally sequence, targeting $135k or higher if history repeats itself closely enough.
Related Reading
That view is subject to similar listed market conditions, which are uncertain. Whales are not a single, singular character; different parties may close positions for different reasons, and some trades are used as hedges rather than bets on price direction.
Volume, funding rates, and net positions on major derivatives platforms will be important. A clean break above $94,000 with rising local demand will support the bullish case.
Conversely, increased selling pressure at that level could keep Bitcoin locked at $88,000–$92,000 until a new catalyst emerges. The current action looks like a continuous setup – which could lead to a sharp move if traders decide which way to go.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
